Residents have objected to plans to open a Chinese therapy centre in a residential Watford street.

Euston Avenue residents say the application to open the centre in a vacant shop on the road will add to parking chaos.

Mum-of-two Andrea Bates said the business will attract outsiders to the street for brief periods well into the night - but will give nothing back to residents.

The 35-year-old said: "I saw it being kitted out and initially assumed it was going to be a tanning room.

"But then I was notified that it was going to open as a massage parlour.

"It’s not something local residents would want to use.

"I am angry about it. This is very much a residential area, with a high proportion of families and older people. You’d expect this kind of business more in Market Street or the town centre."

Andrea and husband Neil, 37, said the main concern for residents is that clients would want to park in the street.

Andrea continued: "Euston Avenue is a very narrow street. We don’t want more traffic.

"It’s going to open to 9pm, seven days a week - no-one wants that at the end of their street."

A planning application to change the use of the vacant shop unit at 70 Euston Avenue was submitted in March.

The plans were to refit the building as a massage treatment studio, incorporating two treatment rooms into the new facility.

At the time of going to press seven objections had been lodged with the council.

Michael No, a teacher from Surbiton, submitted the application and said categorising the business as a "massage parlour" was misleading.

He said the business would be a Chinese therapy centre, offering alternative medicines such as acupuncture and Chinese sports massages.

Inside the shop

Mr No said: "People are thinking there’s going to be hanky panky. But something like that opposite residents’ houses - I wouldn’t want to do that.

"It would be stupid.

"I want to run this business for a long time. If there was going to be hanky panky, would I spend £10,000 on the business when I could easily get caught by the police?

"I’m trying to provide a service for the community. It’s a tiny room - only 200 square feet. There are only two small treatment rooms.

"There has been objections relating to a lack of parking spaces on Euston Avenue, but even if I opened a manicure and pedicure centre my customers would need to park - it wouldn’t matter what the business was."

Mr No added he has been told the vacant shop has been closed for five years and thought the community would be happy to see another business open in its place.

The application will now be discussed by the council in July because of the high number of objections it has received.

"Euston Avenue residents say the application to open the centre in a vacant shop on the road will add to parking chaos"........... What would the residents prefer? Keep the shop permanently empty so they can park their cars? That shop has been there a very long time!. Why not Chinese Therapy? Or would you prefer a knitting shop?

"Euston Avenue residents say the application to open the centre in a vacant shop on the road will add to parking chaos"........... What would the residents prefer? Keep the shop permanently empty so they can park their cars? That shop has been there a very long time!. Why not Chinese Therapy? Or would you prefer a knitting shop?LocalBoy1

miwe2 wrote:
if I were a resident i would be delighted that anyone would open a business in that long term eyesore of a closed shop. But has Localboyt spelt 'knitting' wrong?

"knitting" (Google) I don't think so??? Have you nothing better to do that pick up on potential spelling errors? you sad little person!

[quote][p][bold]miwe2[/bold] wrote:
if I were a resident i would be delighted that anyone would open a business in that long term eyesore of a closed shop. But has Localboyt spelt 'knitting' wrong?[/p][/quote]"knitting" (Google) I don't think so??? Have you nothing better to do that pick up on potential spelling errors? you sad little person!LocalBoy1

miwe2 wrote:
if I were a resident i would be delighted that anyone would open a business in that long term eyesore of a closed shop. But has Localboyt spelt 'knitting' wrong?

&quot;knitting" (Google) I don't think so??? Have you nothing better to do that pick up on potential spelling errors? you sad little person!

Know, he's write, it should bee spelled with an "ock", knot an "itt".

[quote][p][bold]LocalBoy1[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]miwe2[/bold] wrote:
if I were a resident i would be delighted that anyone would open a business in that long term eyesore of a closed shop. But has Localboyt spelt 'knitting' wrong?[/p][/quote]"knitting" (Google) I don't think so??? Have you nothing better to do that pick up on potential spelling errors? you sad little person![/p][/quote]Know, he's write, it should bee spelled with an "ock", knot an "itt".doggydo

miwe2 wrote:
if I were a resident i would be delighted that anyone would open a business in that long term eyesore of a closed shop. But has Localboyt spelt 'knitting' wrong?

&quot;knitting" (Google) I don't think so??? Have you nothing better to do that pick up on potential spelling errors? you sad little person!

Know, he's write, it should bee spelled with an "ock", knot an "itt".

OHhhhhhhhh I see, just got it... Humour...):):):) Us pensioners you know are a bit slow...):):)): That's naughty, poor Chinese shopeee people

[quote][p][bold]doggydo[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]LocalBoy1[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]miwe2[/bold] wrote:
if I were a resident i would be delighted that anyone would open a business in that long term eyesore of a closed shop. But has Localboyt spelt 'knitting' wrong?[/p][/quote]"knitting" (Google) I don't think so??? Have you nothing better to do that pick up on potential spelling errors? you sad little person![/p][/quote]Know, he's write, it should bee spelled with an "ock", knot an "itt".[/p][/quote]OHhhhhhhhh I see, just got it... Humour...):):):) Us pensioners you know are a bit slow...):):)): That's naughty, poor Chinese shopeee peopleLocalBoy1

I'm in favour of derelict shops being used by new businesses. Massage parlour was probably the closest category that the planning committee (or whoever it was) could find to categorise it. It's very broad.
I think it's clear that the shop will be used as a treatment centre - certainly not a seedy massage parlour. The owner has stated this himself and been cooperative enough to provide a picture of the inside.
Why must people/residents object the whole time????
And, enough with the politically incorrect comments!
Why not welcome this new business owner to our town rather than shun him before he's had a chance to prove that he can be an asset to Watford.

I'm in favour of derelict shops being used by new businesses. Massage parlour was probably the closest category that the planning committee (or whoever it was) could find to categorise it. It's very broad.
I think it's clear that the shop will be used as a treatment centre - certainly not a seedy massage parlour. The owner has stated this himself and been cooperative enough to provide a picture of the inside.
Why must people/residents object the whole time????
And, enough with the politically incorrect comments!
Why not welcome this new business owner to our town rather than shun him before he's had a chance to prove that he can be an asset to Watford.Nat On The Field

Nat On The Field wrote:
I'm in favour of derelict shops being used by new businesses. Massage parlour was probably the closest category that the planning committee (or whoever it was) could find to categorise it. It's very broad.
I think it's clear that the shop will be used as a treatment centre - certainly not a seedy massage parlour. The owner has stated this himself and been cooperative enough to provide a picture of the inside.
Why must people/residents object the whole time????
And, enough with the politically incorrect comments!
Why not welcome this new business owner to our town rather than shun him before he's had a chance to prove that he can be an asset to Watford.

Why must people/residents object the whole time????
And, enough with the politically incorrect comments! .............. It's Watford and when you find the likes of "ramage1996" who turns a trick at every opportunity to UKIP bash. Well, you don't expect any sensible comments on here, do you?

[quote][p][bold]Nat On The Field[/bold] wrote:
I'm in favour of derelict shops being used by new businesses. Massage parlour was probably the closest category that the planning committee (or whoever it was) could find to categorise it. It's very broad.
I think it's clear that the shop will be used as a treatment centre - certainly not a seedy massage parlour. The owner has stated this himself and been cooperative enough to provide a picture of the inside.
Why must people/residents object the whole time????
And, enough with the politically incorrect comments!
Why not welcome this new business owner to our town rather than shun him before he's had a chance to prove that he can be an asset to Watford.[/p][/quote]Why must people/residents object the whole time????
And, enough with the politically incorrect comments! .............. It's Watford and when you find the likes of "ramage1996" who turns a trick at every opportunity to UKIP bash. Well, you don't expect any sensible comments on here, do you?LocalBoy1

If not commenting sensibly, whats the point?
People make things far more difficult than they need to be - that was what irritated me.
And Watford is the same as any other town, there will be pointless prejudice people and there will be people who are more accepting of the general population regardless of race and background.

If not commenting sensibly, whats the point?
People make things far more difficult than they need to be - that was what irritated me.
And Watford is the same as any other town, there will be pointless prejudice people and there will be people who are more accepting of the general population regardless of race and background.Nat On The Field

Nat On The Field wrote:
If not commenting sensibly, whats the point?
People make things far more difficult than they need to be - that was what irritated me.
And Watford is the same as any other town, there will be pointless prejudice people and there will be people who are more accepting of the general population regardless of race and background.

I agree with you, but that's the comments pages on the WO. It often goes way off topic, but you must admit there are some really funny comments on here. However, you have now introduce a totally unnecessary element to your comment, so at this point I will say goodbye to you.

[quote][p][bold]Nat On The Field[/bold] wrote:
If not commenting sensibly, whats the point?
People make things far more difficult than they need to be - that was what irritated me.
And Watford is the same as any other town, there will be pointless prejudice people and there will be people who are more accepting of the general population regardless of race and background.[/p][/quote]I agree with you, but that's the comments pages on the WO. It often goes way off topic, but you must admit there are some really funny comments on here. However, you have now introduce a totally unnecessary element to your comment, so at this point I will say goodbye to you.LocalBoy1